Flexible coupling



March 25, 1930. PERSQNS 1,752,106

FLEXIBLE COUPLING Fild Dec. 19, 1927 a Sheets-Sheet 1 March 25,, 1930 YL. M. PERSONS I 1,752,106

FLEXIBLE COUPLING- Filed Dec. 19, 1927 5 sheets-sheet 2 Ema/2W7 7 March25, 1930. L. M. PERSONS FLEXIBLE COUPLING Filed Dec. 19, 1927 5Sheets-Sheet 3 'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllllIIIIl/IIIIAPatented Mar. 25,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LAWRENCE M. PERSONS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,ASSIGNOB -TO COOK ELECTRIC COM-- PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A GORPORATION OF ILLINOIS I TFLEXYIBLE COUPLING Application filed December 19,

This invention relates to universal joints or flexible couplings and isparticularly adapted foruse in drive shafts, although it is not limitedto such use. It embodies a construction in which there are no movingsurfaces in contact to cause friction and wear. It furthermore not onlypermits the requisite movements out of line by the connected parts ofthe shaft as is necessary in universal joints or flexible couplings, butalso permits a cer- 1 tain amount of relative longitudinal movementbetween the connected parts of the shaft. This makes the deviceparticularly useful on drive shafts for heavy duty work where there areconstant longitudinal strains as well as lateral strains, and where itis de sirable to avoid grinding or noise in opera- ,tion. It embodiesaconstruction in which the bending strains and-the power transmittingstrains are thoroughly and properly distributed to all parts of thedevice whereby each' partor portion takes care of its part of thestrain, and there is no undue localization of strain, at any time, or onany part, causing deterioration.

-.The invention is capable in very simple and compact expense and may beeasily applied eo-more adapted to-be made and sold as an attachmentwhich can be easily applied, for instance, in any transmission with veryslightchange in the construction of the transmission mechanism. It iswell known that relative movement between parts of a joint orcouplinghas a tendency to generate heat. This is particularly true with a ofembodiment form at small assembled and metal is employed, and thedriving forces are 40'- transmitted from one member to another I throughnon-metallic devices. The result, in the case of a non-metallic joint,is that constant flexion of the material itself generates heat, andthetend'encyus toward excessive wear and deterioration of the material.Whether constructed of metallic or nonmetallic material, the partsconstituting the universal joint .or flexible coupling are usuallyassembled by bolts which provide alternately spaced point connectionsbetween adin use. The construction is furthertype of joint in which no1927. Serial No. 240,93.

jacent sections. Localized strains are inherent in a construction ofthis type. The device is soon torn apart at the point connections andits life is relatively short.

The present invention is particularly concerned with the provision of apractical form of flexible coupling or universal-joint wherein the partsare united in a manner preventing destruction or weakening of thematerial at the unions, and wherein the deflection of the parts areconfined to portions which prevent localizing of any bending strain atthe unions.

In order toapprise those skilled in-the art how to construct andpractice my invention, I shall now describe a preferred embodimentthereof in connection with the ac- 'companying drawing which forms apart hereof.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a universal joint orflexible coupling embodying my invention; I s

Fig. Qis an elevational view illustrating the manner in which the devicepermits angular movement between the drive shaft and the driven shaft;

-Fig. 2A is a similar view;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the coupling;

Fig. 4 is anenlarged detail view of several of the members forming thecoupling to illustrate the manner in which they are connected together;

Fig-5 is a similar view but illustrating the manner in which these partsmay be extended or flexed without imposing the bending strain on theunion;

Fig. 6 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of myimproved device, this view illustrating the manner in which the partsmay be supported and joined by an interconnecting member in order tosecure greater flexibility between the drive shaft and driven shaft; V

Fi 'Zis a view illustrating the manner in whic the device may be used asa flexible coupling in a fluid line;

Fig; 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6; and

Fig. 9 is a view of a similar device illustrating an exteriorattachmentifor 'the con-j as a universal joint but also'as a flexible Icoupling. It is constructed to absorb vibration so that vibrationcannot-be transmitted between shafts.

. Both'shafts may be connected to device 3 '.in any suitable 'mamier. Asillustrated,

bearings 4 and 5 are provided to receive the endsof these shafts. More seciflcally, the flexible coupling comprises a p urality of flexiblemetallic plates 15 formed in a manner permitting circumferential edgeengagements between the plates, the inner and outer peripheries of theseplates affording a peripheral union with the peripheries of oppositeadjacent plates whereby to provide a continuous collapsible andexpansible wall.- Such col-..

- lapsible and expansible wall acts in this instance as a very eflicientuniversal joint or flexible coupling whereby any bending strainsproduced either byJongitudinal or lateral 'light transmission work.

flexion are readily absorbed and are not transmitted to the peripheralunions between plates. A circumferential edge engagement of the platesalso affords a stronger flexible connection for the purpose oftransmitting torque between the driye shaft and the drivenshaft,-thereby allowing the adaptation of my device to heavy duty workas well as to As noted more particularly iniFigs. 3, 4 and 5, plate 15'has a substantially large flange 16 joined with the intermediate flatportion 17 by the curved portion 18. v Plate 15 is also provided with aslightly. smaller flange, which terminates into a gutter 19. Gutter 19unites with flat portion 17 by a curved portion 20. Part 15" issubstantially the same as part 15 with theexception that it is reversedin the arrangement'of its flange and gutter. It has an inner peripheralgutter 21 and an outer peripheral flange 22. Flange 22 is substantiallythe same as flange 16 and is adapted to be inserted in gutter 19.Likewise, the gutter 21 is adapted to receive a similar flange on thenext succeeding plate, ,as illustrated in Fig. 4. Inv the assembly. ofthese plates, solderis allowed to flow freely about the gutters wherebyto as-.

sure a solid solder joint securingthe flanges in the gutters. It will beobserved that the capillary action of the solder causes the solder toflow upwardly along the'walls of the plates The free flowing of thissolder in the gutters also assures that no air bubbles or voids areallowed to form in the solder, thereby obtaining a substantially solidunion abouttheentire periphery of each connection.

- Flange 22 is also joined to plate 15 by a curved portion 23. ,Gutter21; is joined to "peratures of t plate 15 by a curvedportion 24. The formation of plates 15 and 15 causes the de-t flection to be confined tothe flat portions 17 and25 of these p'lates, this being accomplished bythe .curved portions 18, 20, 28 and 24, which prevent any bendingstrains from being transmitted to the flange and gutter connections. Theformation ofeach plate tends to limit the bendingmovementsaboutitscurved-portions so as not to permit the imposition of strain on thesoldered connections.

i There is, therefore, no tendency to crystallize -or deteriorate themetal at these joints, and

I have found b experiments that these joints have an exceedingly longlife. Furthermore, the experiments which have been conducted prove thata joint of this type is very eflicient in transmitting rotativemovement. This allows a unique adaptation of device 13 to uni-' versaljoints or flexible couplings. v Q I haveillustrated in Figs. 2 and 2Athe shape which device 3 will assume in the event the drive shaft anddriven shaft are out of alignment. The deformationassumed by device 3will in no instancecause the bending 0 strain to become localized at thesoldered connections of plates 15. This bending strain is confined tothe flat portions 17 and 25. It is, therefore, impossible for thesoldered union or peripheral edge engagements to break away. Theposition ofthe plates 15 in these figures illustrates the manner inwhich 4 the deflection is confined to the flat portions and the bendinglimited to the curve portions 18, 20, 23'and 24 to prevent any strainupon the joint. Greater flexibility and strength are accordinglyobtained.

I have illustrated in Fig. 6 a universal joint or flexible couplinghaving two flexible units 28 and 29, each unit being equivalent todevice 3, as shown in Fig. 1. A rigid sleeve 30 interconnects theseunits 28 and 29.- This arrangement allows greater angular flexibility ofthe device as a whole and at the same time obtains relatively greatercompactness. 0 The bearings 4 and 5 are extended inwardly and the sleeve30 is provided with openings 31 to permit-the insertion of "a tool foroperation of the set screws 32, which are employed to hold theshafts 1and 2 engaged. v 1 5 In Fig. 7 I have illustrated a device somewhatsimilar to Fig. 6. This alternative embodiment is particularly adaptedas a flexible connection in a fluidline, suchas a water connectiononmotor vehicles. Each shaft enters 12'0 34. On the other hand, thisembodiment may be inserted in a stationary fluid line and eniployed inlieu of the usual U-shape d expansion connections, which are used articui larly in heatin systems where the high teme heatin fluid causeexpansion of the piping and w ere provisions must be madefor suchexpansion.

Figs. 8 and 9, similar embodiments of the invention are shown. The outerplate 40 of units 28 and 29 may be seated in a soldered gutter 41 cut'in the bearings 4 and 5. These bearings may extend inwardly in sleeve30.

If so desired, apertured plates 42 may be disosed in sleeve 30, asillustrated in these gures. The structure shown in Fig. 9 may be usedwhere the bearings 4 and 5 may extend outwardly so as to permit the useof exterior fastening means, such as screws 45, and where, ifso'desired, a fluid may be conducted through the coupling, such as nheating and other fluid systems.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain thegist of my invention,

' that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adopt the samefor use under a varying conditions of service without elimitherebetweencomprisin gutter and flange connections.

2. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a drive shaft, of a driven shaft, and a collapsible andexpansible resilient um't therebetwe'en comprising metallic platesunited peri herally by alternately arranged soldered ed utters and,cooperating flan es, each plateieing formed to prevent de ectio'n atits periphery.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

' LAWRENCE M. PERSONS.

